Ringo: Andre Roberson's CU Buffs career one to be celebrated

There should be an easel set up at the 50-yard line at Folsom Field in September at halftime of a Colorado football game.

There should be a framed No. 21 Colorado basketball jersey positioned on that easel.

Fans should remain in their seats for this halftime instead of heading to the bathroom or running to grab refreshments so they can give Andre Roberson a proper send off.

The man didn't get a Senior Day. Of course he didn't. He was only a junior this season.

Yes, it was his choice to pass it up by declaring himself eligible for the NBA draft on Sunday afternoon, but there aren't many guys who have come through the Colorado basketball program who deserve to be honored with a Senior Day more than Roberson.

Some Colorado fans might disagree with Roberson's decision to turn pro. Others might agree with his choice. It could become a topic that is debated for years to come among those who bleed black and gold depending on where Roberson is picked in the June 27 draft and how he fares as a pro.

But none of that really matters any more.

Roberson's Colorado career is over and it's time for CU fans and those of us who get paid to chronicle and question such things to take a moment, step back and give the young man a tip of the cap.

His smile will be missed at Coors Events Center on those cold winter afternoons and nights as much as his customary 10-12 rebounds and shutdown defense.

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There are three images of Andre Roberson's time at Colorado that will stick with me.

I waited in the bowels of Moby Arena after the Buffs lost to Colorado State in December 2011 for Roberson to emerge from the CU locker room. He scored only one point in 33 minutes that night, missing both of his field goal attempts and six of his seven free throw attempts.

When Roberson finally came out of the locker room to head for the bus and long ride back to Boulder, it was clear he had shed some tears after the game. And as he began to talk about his role in the loss, he did all he could to avoid shedding more. He didn't quite stop them all.

In those moments, it became clear to me that Roberson is fiercely competitive and cares deeply about his teammates and the school he represents. I recall that image of him now on a Sunday afternoon in late April 2013 and it's suddenly clear to me why he struggled so much with his decision to stay with that program for another year or pursue his dream to play the game he loves professionally.

The second image I'll always have of Roberson in a CU uniform came in January this year in a home win over Stanford. It might have been the best I've seen him play.

If you recall, the Buffs were pushed around by Stanford during Roberson's sophomore season and all the talk leading up to the first game this year with the Cardinal regarded whether CU could match up with the them any better in a new season.

Roberson provided the answer that night by dominating the game without scoring much. He finished with 12 points but he grabbed 20 rebounds and was a monster defensively. There weren't many players in the nation who could have played with him that night.

I left the arena that night believing Roberson had the stuff to play in the NBA, regardless of his shortcomings when it comes to ball handling and perimeter shooting. It was fun to watch.

I know this much, if he can summon that same energy and passion as he goes through individual workouts, summer league and training camp in the fall, it's going to be hard for the NBA team he joins to keep him off its roster.

The final enduring image of Roberson that will stick with me is watching him cheering for his teammates against Oregon and Oregon State at the end of this season when he couldn't play because of a viral illness. Some guys would have sulked at the end of the bench. Roberson was involved and doing his best to help his teammates while in street clothes.

The Buffs responded to losing him by completely dominating the Ducks, who were ranked No. 19 when they came to Boulder. I believe the emotional letdown from the high of that night played a part in them losing to the Beavers a few days later.

I don't know if any or all of those moments paint an accurate picture of who Roberson is as a person. Obviously there is much more depth to be discovered, the stuff you learn about someone when you really know them.

But those memories of Roberson's Colorado career accurately reflect who he is as a basketball player. He is extremely talented, highly driven to succeed and motivated by more than just a shot at a big paycheck.

He loves the game. Tough to blame him for trying to make a living playing it.

There are a lot of Colorado fans out there who loved watching Roberson play the past three years and wish he would have stayed for one more season. It could have been a magical one and still can be, albeit without him. I bet every one of those fans would shake Roberson's hand if given the opportunity and say what should be said.

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